Happy Thanksgiving

Today was a different kind of Thanksgiving. We aren't traveling, in part because Catherine's wedding was less than 2 weeks ago so if we, somehow, did catch covid and don't know, we aren't in the safe zone yet of not being infectious. We also didn't want to risk it with how high the numbers are. Last night we made a Jello dish and peter made some pumpkin pies (two small ones), and we started the turkey brining.  

Today we made a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted root veggies. I even bought individual snack packs of black olives, as its not a holiday for me without olives. I made deviled eggs for breakfast, we got the turkey in the oven, and then we did a Zoom with Peter's family. We had to get off to get the veggies chopped and deal with the turkey, but it was nice to see everyone. We got everything in, and then I had a nice call with my dad, Lupe, and Craig. Then it was onto making mashed potatoes and gravy (using turkey stock I made this weekend). 

 Our friend Amanda, who is also working from home and is not really socializing, and the few times she does it is outside with a mask, came over. We had a long conversation about our potential risks, and both decided that we felt like the risk was low and something we were willing to do, and that we would both plan to isolate for two weeks afterwards. We had decided that it would be safest for us each to just cook our own meals, and she sat on the opposite side of the table outside. Peter set up a fan in the middle to blow out, with the idea that any of our breathe/particle we breathe out will get caught in the fan's breeze and pushed away from all of us. It was nice to share Thanksgiving with her, and we visited for a little outside. 

 Then I took a turkey nap, got up, and had a short chat with Shaun. He updated us about their wedding, and given the infectivity rate in Chicago and that the ceremony is going to be in a little over two weeks, when there is likely going to be a spike, I told him that we can't come in. Not going to lie, it was really hard to not just say but accept. At the same time, given my risk level, I know it is the right choice right now. Harvard has a tool out that looks at the rate of cases in each county and you can put in the size of the gathering, and it will tell you the probability that someone there has covid. According to this, which I know is not a perfect tool, the risk is about 65% as of today. Even with everyone having a mask on, that is still really unnerving.

 I do want to talk about the incubation period of covid for everyone who did see family/friends for Thanksgiving. The incubation period can be be from 1-14 days, although most people become syptomatic by day 7. So if you got a covid test before and were negative, that could mean a few things - you were actually negative or you were infected but it had not incubated long enough to show up on the test. If you know you were exposed to someone and got tested right away (within a few days), most likely it was negative but that only means that you weren't positive then, and you could still be infected. So the safest thing to do is to isolate/quarantine for the next 14 days. Don't go out. Don't visit. I think about when I was in the hospital, wondering if things would shut down before I could get my transplant. Hospitals are really full. Someone in the hospital now is wondering that same thing. So please be kind to everyone. I really feel that if you chose to take the risk of seeing people, then it is your responsibility to now isolate for 14 days to make sure you don't spread the infection around in case someone actually had it. And you may not know, but thats what is so hard about covid. It is less deadly than we originally thought, but it still causing a lot of issues for many people. I urge you to do the right thing. Peter and I will not be going anywhere to keep ourselves, but just as importantly, the rest of our community, safe. Until we all start thinking about not just ourselves, this isn't going to get better.

8 months

Today is 8 months since transplant. I'm feeling so incredibly blessed to be doing so well. At my check up last week there were no signs of rejection, and I was able to go off the steroid a few days ago. I already feel so much better without it, and my body feels much more normal. I still have lots of work to do to actually lose the weight that it helped me put on (over 20lbs!), but I'm already feeling more comfortable in my body and seeing small changes. I am also feeling worried. At least one of my relatives has caught covid despite always wearing PPE, and I found out today that others have been exposed (although its too soon to know if they have it yet). The infection rate is crazy right now. I am so thankful that my transplant was 8 months. I really feel for all those who are currently in the hospital waiting for a transplant. If too many people get covid and need to hospitalized, the hospitals could be forced to stop doing things like transplant because of lack of resources (nurses, ventilators, etc). I can imagine how they feel, as that was part of our worry way back then. Thanksgiving will be so different this year. Peter and I are cooking for ourselves, and we have a friend who is going to cook for herself and come over so we can eat outside, distanced and with a fan between us to blow air away. We figured that, outside of doing it ourselves, this is the safest we can be. I know a lot of people are finding it hard to be thankful for things this year. But I am thankful that I got my heart. That things are going well with it. That we have a president-elect who has a plan on how to get covid under control. That we know more about covid so we can keep ourselves safer. I'm also so, so thankful for all of you who are staying inside, wearing your masks, decreasing your circles, and not taking unnecessary risks. Who understand that its about more than just you and your immediate family, but about our society as a whole. And I'm thankful to Peter, who continues to be such a strong support.

Home again

We got home to NC safe and sound this evening. It was very nice to be able to see folks and be there for Catherine and Travis. It was also really hard in lots of ways. I do think that we did everything we should have. We wore kn95s and fabric masks outside for pictures with the family. We stayed at least 8 feet away from anyone without a mask on, except for the 30 seconds of them taking the photos. Everyone moved away so Peter and I could take a picture without our masks on to be photshopped in. At the ceremony, everyone was masked except for the bride, groom, and pastor. We had on both our kn95s and fabric masks, were away from everyone else, and were seated higher up. We walked in 5 minutes before the ceremony started, and left immediately after, so were only inside for 25 minutes. We did not give anyone a hug that day - which was so hard. It was so great to be there, but really hard to leave. I do think that they took all the precautions you can in this type of situation, with the inherent risk of eating inside. 

It is bitterswwet though, as Chicago just limited gatherings for weddings to 10 people for the next 30 days. That means Shaun and Melanie can't have their wedding as planned. I feel awful for them to be disapointed, but also feel like it is probably a lot safer. I am sad that we won't yet be able to see my family due to covid. I also found out that someone close to me, despite all their precations and using proper PPE in their job, tested positive and is sick with covid. Its scary how, even when you do everything right, there is still a risk. I'm not overly worried, but of course since our bubble just got so much bigger the last few days, I'm going to be nervous for the next 2 weeks and hoping/praying that no one gets sick, and that we didn't catch anything. What is interesting is that I'm not sure, even if covid was not here, if I could have attended something in a goup of 25 at this point post transplant. So I may have needed to be in a mask and not stayed for dinner anyways. 

Back to work tomorrow, but wishing I could take a day off. I have clinic on Tuesday, and we usually get there early, so planning to have the rest of the day be a rest day. Excited to sleep in our own bed tonight, and see the puppy in the morning. Also, Peter's cousin Joe and his wife Angie had a little girl on Friday who is needing a little time in the NICU before she can go home. She is getting better and it isn't too serious, but prayers for Cara-June would be appreciated. Stay safe. Wear your mask. I know this probably sounds hypocritical given our recent trip, but now really is the time to be tightening your social circles, staying home, and being extra careful.

So many unknowns

Peter and I have been working from Columbus the last two days. We had a nice, masked (with kn95's) short visit with Catherine and Travis yesterday night, went on a walk during lunch with Sarah and the kids today (also masked), and then Patty and Jay came over tonight to chat around a firepit outside (and masked!). Its really nice to see everyone, but also nerve wracking seeing how bad the covid numbers are right now. We are being really cautious, keeping distance and limiting time of visits, but it is somewhat disconcerting having to treat everyone as if they have the virus in order to keep yourself (and them) safe. 

 This afternoon Chicago announced a travel advisory, and given the timing of it, I'm questioning if Peter and I will be able to come in for Shaun and Melanies wedding, if the restuarant will still even be allowed to be open for them to have it, and even if we are allowed in (NC is currently in the orange zone), if that is too much of a risk. While Columbus right now has a high rate, Chicago's is even higher. I think this trip has been a good indicator for us in some ways, but there are a lot of issues I'm not sure we can overcome to make December work - one of which is that if NC's rates go into the red zone, we would be required to quartine 14 days once we get into Chicago - and we know we can't be there that long. I suppose we will have to re-adjust as we go forward. I have a clinic visit on Tuesday, once we get back to NC, and we can get some updated information then.

 But seriously. Please, please, please be careful. ICU's are running out of beds. We know more now, but if there aren't enough beds and equipment (and the administration still has not put into effect the act that would allow a ramp us, although Biden has a plan to do so day one), then it affects everyone, not just the covid patients. Wear a mask. Even though its getting cold out, still try to be outside. Socially distance. If you have to be inside with others, wear a mask. If you have to be inside, try to be somewhere that is well ventilated. If you are wearing a mask inside, the better your mask seals, the safer it is. Not all KN95s are FDA approved, but those that are (look online for brand guidance) should work just like our N95s - and offer the most protection. The statistics are showing that most of the new cases popping up are now happening in smaller gatherings of friends and family as things move indoors. I know this sucks. But Biden/Harris have a plan and this will go away eventually. Unfortunately, it will probably get worse before it gets better. But we can all do our parts.

venturing out

Peter's sister Catherine is getting married on Saturday in Columbus, OH. Tuesday is not a busy day at work for me or Peter, so we drove up to Columbus with the intention of working the rest of the week from Ohio. We boarded Stella and drove up today. In preparation we stocked up on snacks and bagels/cream cheese from Panera so we didn't have to go in anywhere.  We were obviously concerned about interacting with people on the way up, so we bought a camping toilet, corresponding bags for it, a small pop up tent, and lots of hand sanitizer. 

We had an easy drive and got to Columbus before the sun set. Peters other sister Sarah and her family were kind enough to move in with his parents while we are here so we have somewhere to stay. Patty, Jay, and Sarah stopped by tonight briefly. My doctor's had said that if I had an n95 and everyone else had masks, we were ok inside for short periods of time. We brought extras of the kn95s (can't find real n95s but these are fda approved as equivalent and have a good seal) to be extra safe, and actually got to see people and get a hug! We distanced inside after and kept it under an hour, but we are here. It's been nerve-wracking because we know covid rates are high, but we are being really careful and are excited to see Catherine and Travis get married Saturday. We both are working during the day the next three days, but will have the evenings for short socialization, outside as much as possible, with the good masks for inside. And yes, my cloth mask over the kn95 is probably redundant, but it can't hurt.

Please be careful. But also, it's awesome we now know enough about covid that I can make a plan based on science (and use my pathogen biology degree) that is as safe as possible. The last time Patty and Jay saw me in person, I was in the ICU after my dry run really not doing well. Such a difference between then and now!

More than expected

 The last few days things have been a little more than expected in a lot of ways.  Yesterday Peter and I decided to go for a real hike on a trail owned by the NC botanical garden.  It was a 1.5 mile path.  It was actually through woods, which was great, although once a bit in I realized I could use a hiking pole.  Peter found me a walking stick to get through the walk, which was really helpful.  We had not looked at the sign beforehand, but apparently over the trail it was a 270 ft drop, which means we also had to climb up that incline.  For anyone who ever went hiking/walking with before transplant, you will know that inclines were not my friend.  There were a lot of fairly steep parts, and a general incline for the last 1/3 of the trail.  It was a little hard, and I was breathing a little heavy, but that was it.  This is amazing.  Pre-transplant, I couldn't walk up a slightly sloped sidewalk without huffing, puffing, and feeling like my heart was beating so hard it would burst.  And the longer I tried, the less my limbs would move - most likely because not enough oxygen was getting to my extremities.  Now, I go up, and I'm out of breath.  But my legs were fine, heart wasn't too bothered, and it was slightly winded so hard to talk, but not huffing and puffing.  I could sit down for 30-60 seconds, catch my breathe, and go again.  Being still someone de-conditioned.  This was a HUGE win. Did I mention that it ended up taking us 1.5 hours to do the hike?  Previously, I've lasted about 30 minutes.  If either Peter or I had realized that it would take so much time, or had the incline, we would have assumed I could not do it.  But once we were in the situation, I did, and with more ease than expected.  This makes me really excited, because if I can do that now, imagine what I could do if I was more in shape?

The other thing that has been more than expected has been my Biden ad.  It was amazing to see that yesterday Joe Biden tweeted at me saying that he will protect people with pre-existing conditions. 

 I know that I am super liberal and that is part of why I support Biden, but I don't know if I've really spelled it out.  I anyone is on the fence about who they are voting for tomorrow, here are my main reasons

-  Biden has vowed to protect the ACA.  Now, it is not perfect  by any means, but some of the laws that were passed with it, like removing life time maximums, forcing insursers to cover pre-existing conditoins without charging more (and to do it at all), allowing kids to stay on their parents health insurance until age 16, and expanding Medicaid to many low income households  have made huge differences.  Joe plans to expand access to plans to lower/middle class families who can't afford it. He has a plan already on what to do.  And for me, if you can't show me the policy I don't believe you have a plan. 

- Biden's tax plan is to raise taxes for individuals making over $400,000 a year, and to tax the uber rich more fairly.  There was an interesting graphic showing that the tax rate for the lowest earners has risen since 1950, but the tax rate for the most wealthy has fallen significantly.  I believe that we measure how well our economy is doing not by the stock market, but how the lowest 10% are doing.  Right now, it isn't good. Income inequality is absurd.  The minimum wage has not been raised in so long that someone working TWO full time jobs still can't afford to live in most cities. I don't believe that people should have to work not making enough to live on.  Companies have been piloting giving their employees a living wage, and it works.  It puts more money into the community.  Trickle down economics doesn't work.  I think that the economy will be stronger under Biden.

- Biden has a plan, which can be put in place day 1, on how to get covid under control.  It involves following the science.  Reports have shown that if a national mask mandate had been put in place early on, as many as 130,000 of the Americans who have died would not have

- I believe that Biden is the more Christian candidate. He is for many "safety net" programs. His platform gives the most people the best chance at having a shot.

- I also morally could not vote for someone who lies, incites violence, calls white supremists "good people", ignores rules about common decency, and isn't bothered that his policies have led to over 500 migrant children being seperated from families that our country now can't find to reunite them with their parents. I feel like voting for him would be turning my back on my LGBTQ friends, my friends with disabilities, my BIPOC friends, and myself and others with health conditions. 

That is why I voted by Biden/Harris.  That is why I've volunteered. That is why I used my voice to tell my story. If you are still on the fence and want to have a conversation, I would be happy to have a non judgemental one with you before you go to the polls. 

Everyone be safe tomorrow.  Vote if you haven't already.  Bring a bottle of water and some snacks with you in case you have to wait. I really like the metaphor that voting is like taking the bus to your destination - chances are neither candidate gets you exactly where you want to go, but which one gets you in the right direction.  I truly believe that we are going in the wrong direction, and that another 4 years will weaken our country in the view of the world, economically, and in terms of health.  I don't believe covid goes away if 45 is re-elected. The future is in our hands.  Which future do you want?